Disclaimer: This article reflects the opinions of the writer only, and does not reflect the opinion of the San Fernando Valley JACL nor the national JACL organization.

In our JACL chapter, we attempt to promote the positive aspects of the Japanese culture and to pass on those cultural values to our children and their children. People naturally have pride in the country of their birth, and that pride typically carries over to the pride in the country of their ancestors.

Emi Koyama, based in Portland, is a co-founder of FeND, the Japan-US Feminist Network for Decolonization (FeND). She describes FeND as a network of U.S.-based individuals with roots in Japan, who are activists, teachers, researchers, and other community members who recently formed because of their concerns about the rise of antagonistic nationalism and historical revisionism in some corners of Japan and within (mostly first-generation migrant) Japanese communities in the U.S.

Emi Koyama will be holding a workshop about their work at UCLA Bunche Hall, Room 10383, on Friday, Nov. 14th from 6-8 PM. Though not required, she would appreciate an RSVP if you are planning to attend, via facebook or via info@fendnow.org.

Phyllis Kim of the Korean American Forum of California sent this link to a Japan Times article entitled: The uncomfortable truth about ‘comfort women’. I recommend reading this revealing article!